Dombre



March 31, 1964 P. DOMBRE MIXING TAP Filed May 25, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1` March 31, 1964 P. DOMBRE 3,126,914

MIXING TAP Filed May 25, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. DOMBRE MIXING TAP March 3l, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 25. 1961 on n m .1 E X 3 .J 2. MNH), 4 /l March 3l, 1964 -P DQMBRE 3,126,914

MIXING TAP Filed May 25, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent O 3,126,914 IVXING TAP Pierre Dornbre, 7 Ave. Theodore=Fournoy, Geneva, Switzeriand, assigner of one-half to Iaui Saitta, Geneva,

Switzerland Fiied May 25, 1961, Ser. No. 112,603 Claims priority, application Switzerland June 2, 1960 8 Claims. (Ci. IS7-6254) The present invention relates to mixing taps and more particularly to a mixing tap having at least two inlets and at least one outlet and comprising movable valve flaps co-operating with stationary seats to control selectively at least the inlets, to independently regulate the mixture ratio and the output.

The tap according to the invention is characterized 1n that it comprises a ilap support, carrying the various aps and disposed freely in a mixing chamber, in that at least that part of these aps co-operating with the seats is of spherical shape, the center of the sphere being stationary relative to this support, in that the seats are of such a shape that they each co-operate with the corresponding ap along a contact circle having a radius smaller than that of the sphere of the flap, in order that the ap support be free to rock to a certain extent, in all directions, about the center of the spherical part of any one of the flaps, without this flap moving away from its seat, and in that it comprises a control device cooperating with the said support in order to retain it at will in the fully closed position of all the aps, and incline it as desired in direction and amount, according to the desired mixture ratio and output.

The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, a few embodiments and variants of the mixing tap according to the invention.

FIG. l is a View in axial section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view along 2-2 of FIG. 1, to a smaller scale, showing solely the front part of .the tap according to FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. l of a second embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional View similar to FIG. 4 of a variant of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional View along 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a View along 7 7 of FIG. 5, to a smaller scale, showing solely the indicating plate on the front part of the mixing tap according to FIG. 5

FIG. 8 is an axial section of a third embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is an axial section of a fourth embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. lO is a sectional view along Iii-1d of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along 1li-11 of FIG. 9.

FIGS. l2 to 14 are sectional detail views of three variants of the rst embodiment.

The mixing tap according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a body 1 having two inlets 2, 3 serving respectively for the admission of hot water and for the admission of cold water. This body also has two outlets d, 5 leading respectively to the shower and to the bath. The inlets 2, 3 and the outlets 4, 5 communicate with a mixing chamber 6 of the body of the apparatus by four yconduits two of which are visible at 7 and S (FIG. 1). In the chamber 6 is a plate 9 of plastic material bored with four holes (two of which are visible at itl, 11) coinciding with the four conduits. The holes 1d, 11 correspond respectively with conduits 7 and 8. The right-hand edge in FIG. 1 of these four holes such as I0 and 11 constitutes a stationary seat designed to co-operate with a flap 3,126,914 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 controlling the passage of the water through these holes.

The mixing tap comprises a flap support 12 having the general shape of a circular plate provided, on one of its faces, with four hemispherical protuberances 13, each constituting a ap designed to co-operate with one of the aforesaid seats. Each of the hemispherical aps 13 cooperates with the corresponding seat along a contact circle 14 (FIG. 3) having a radius smaller than that of the flap. Thus, these iaps may only partly engage inside the holes 10, 11. On the other hand, the flap support 12 is disposed freely in the mixing chamber 6, and it is free, as Will be seen hereafter, to rock to a certain extent, in all directions, about the center of the lspherical part of any one of the flaps 13, without this ilap moving away from its seat. In other words, one of the hemispherical flaps may rotate about its own center without interfering with the closing of the conduit which it controls.

The face of the plate 12 opposite to the flaps 13 is provided, in this example, with a hollow 15 in the shape of a spherical cap.

In another connection, the tap comprises a control device co-operating with the flap support 12. This device comprises a spherical element 16 integral with a handoperated member 17, only a part of which is seen in FIG. 1. This spherical element 16 is mounted in the tap, more exactly in a cylindrical chamber of the cap 4.8 of this tap, so as to rotate in all directions about its own center. A sealing joint 13 is constantly held pressed, as will be seen later on, between element 16 and the cap 48, to prevent any escape of Water through the central hole of the cap through which passes the operating member 17.

The spherical element 16 has a radial hole 19 in which is a compression spring 2) acting on a piston 21 engaged in this hole. The part of this piston 21 located outside the hole 19 terminates in the shape of a hemisphere and presses constantly against the surface 15, under the action of the spring 2t). It is this same spring Ztl which holds the spherical element 16 applied against the joint 18.

At the center of the concave surface 15 is provided a small conical notch 22 the function of which will 'be explained hereafter.

The cap 48 is provided on the edge of its opening 23 through which passes the operating member 17 with the indications which may be seen in FIG. 2.

The operation of this embodiment is the following:

Let us suppose, in order to facilita-te the explanation, that the operating member 17 is a plain rectilinear arm co-axial with the hole 19. It is possible to incline the arm I7 in lany direction. This 'arm vis inclined towards the bath side in FIG. 2, by rotating the 'arm 17 about the -center of the sphere 1-6, clockwise in FIG. 1. This rotation .brings the piston 21 nearer .to the upper flap 13 of FIG. 1, and further away from the lower nap. Under the effect of the pressure exerted by the spring 20, the piston 21 then causes the plate 12 to rock about the center of the upper flap 13, in such .a way that the outlet 4 (shower) remains closed but that, on the other hand, the outlet 5 .(bath) opens. Simultaneously, the two other flaps (those to the right and to the left FIG. 3) rise equal amounts to permit entry, if the pressure of the hot water and Iof the cold water is the same, of equal quantities of hot water and of cold Water, into the chamber y6 for discharge through outlet 5. If now, while keeping the member 17 inclined relative to its original position, it is moved towards the right in FIG. 2, that is to say it is brought nearer to cold, the following occurs:

The might-hand and left-hand flaps in FIG. 3, which were before raised to the same extent, are now unequally raised. In fact, the piston 21 has moved to the left, and

therefore has come nearer to the left-hand ap (FIG. 3). This left-hand ap (FIG. 3) is thus moved towards its corresponding seat, while the right-hand flap is moved further away from its seat. The result will therefore be that substantially the same total `output at outlet 5 will be produced as in the iirst oase but, the proportion of the mixture will have changed. There will be provided more cold water and less hot water. It is obvious that the angle which the arm I7 makes with the symmetry axis of the device `corresponds to the output but on the other hand, the direction of this arm on the indicator ring 2? corresponds to the mixture. As long as this arm I7 remains facing the lower semi-circle of 23, the outlet 5 leading to the bath is open If the arm I7 is brought into the upper semi-circle of 23, the lower flap i3 of FIG. 1 remains closed, while the upper iiap 13 opens, thus al-lowing the water to issue in the outlet leading to the shower. The proportion of the mixture hot and cold is regulated according to the angular position of the arm I7 in FIG. 2..

The central conical hollow 22 is operative to iix properly the position of rest of the piston 2l at the center of the surface when Ithe member I7 is at rest. In this central position, the spring Ztl maintains the four flaps I3 equally applied against their respective seats and the tap is completely closed.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the body I of the tap is identical to that `of the first embodiment, but the cap 24 is diiierent. The ilap support 12a is in the `shape of a plate and differs from the ilap support I2 of FIG. 1 in that its face opposed to that having the four flaps 13 is of ilat shape as seen at 25.

The control device co-operating with the flap support 12a` is 'also different from that of FIG. l. Herein it comprises a cylindrical body 26 rotating freely in :a cylindrical chamber inside the cap 24. In order to rotate body 26, there is provided a radial handle 27. In the axis of this body 26 is a rod 2S threaded at 29 and terminating at its left-hand end in FIG. 4 in a hemisphere 30 bearing against the surface Z5. At its opposite end, not shown, the axial rod 28 is provided with a usual tap star-wheel.

The body 26 also has a cylindrical hole 3l parallel to the :axis of the body 26 but off center. -Ien hole 31 is disposed a compression spring 32 as well Ias .a piston 33 with a hemispherical head 34. This piston is partially engaged in the hole 31 and projects out of this hole avith the hemispherioal head 34 -which bears constantly against the surface 25. The cylindrical hole 31 is oif center by an .amount slightly exceeding the distance lfrom the center of the spherical iiaps I3 relative to the center `of the plate 12a.

The operation of this `device is the following:

When the central control rod 28 occupies the position shown (extreme left-hand position in FIG. 4), the four flaps are closed. If the rod 23 is rotated a slight extent about its axis, the end Sti is moved to the right in FIG. 4 of the drawing. Under the action of the spring 32 and of the piston 33, the plate 12a rocks to a certain extent about the center ofthe upper flap I3 in FIG. 4. 'Ihe lower flap thus moves away from its seat to an extent which depends on the angle through which the rod 28 `has been rotated. Simultaneously, the two other aps are also raised lfrom their seats -but to an extent which depends for each of them on the position of the radial handle 27. If the indicator plate 35 bears the same indications as those at 23 (FIG. 2), as long as this handle 27 will be under the lower semi-circle, the Water will issue through the outlet leading to the bath and the mixture ratio will depend on the position of this handle along this semi-circle. Similarly, if the handle faces the upper semi-circle, the w-ater will go to the shower and the mixture ratio will depend on the particular position of the handle 27 on the upper semi-circle. As regards the output, it will in lall cases depend solely on the axial position of the central rod 28.

Thus, in these two examples, it is possible to incline at will, in direction and in extent, the plate I2 or Ilia, .ac-f cord-ing to the desired mixture ratio and output. In the first example, there is a single operating member 17. In the second, there are two, 27 and 2S.

In the variant according to FIGS. 5 to 7, the construction is similar to that of FIG. 4, with the mixing tap having a single Outlet and not two'. This outlet corresponds to the one indicated at 5 in FIG. 3 and is designated by 5a. The inlet of cold water is shown at 3a and the inlet of hot water at 2a. The plate 12a is identical to that of FIG. 4r and also the control device. However, there is no out'-Y let corresponding to 4 and the upper flap I3 `of `FIG. 5 faces a plain blind hole 36 having no hydraulic function. In this case, the handle (-FIG. 4) will only move effectively on the lower half of the indicator plate 35 shown in FIG. 7. The upper ap I3 will always remain applied against its seat and will never be raised.

The operation of this embodiment is obvious after what has been described relative to FIG. 4.

In the example according to FIG. 8 the construction is identical to that of FIG. 4 and reference will be made to describe how this third embodiment differs Afrom the second.

The axial rod 28a corresponding to 28, instead of being threaded, is merely subjected to the action of a compression spring 37 urging the hemispherical end 36a of this rod to bear constantly against the at surface 25 of the iap support I2/a which is ident-ical to the one of FIG. 4. The body vll is identical to that in FIGS. l `and 4.

The sliding rod Zea is hinged to a radial operating lever 3d by a pivot 39. It will -be understood that the extent to which the handle 38 is rotated about the axis 39 allows regulating the `output of the tap because it determines the position of the hemispherical end Sila, while the extent to which the handle 33 is rotated about the axis of the rod 28a, determines the angular position of the piston 33, and allows regulating the mixture ratio and choosing the outlet (6i or 5) `from which the mixture will be discharged. The single handle 33 with two degrees of freedom, therefore replaces the two operating members 27, 2S each having one degree of freedom. The closure of the mixing tap takes place automatically as soon as the handle 38 is released under the action of the spring 37.

'Ihe embodiment according to FIGS. 9, l0 and l1 is similar to the one shown in FIGS. l to 3. It differs therefrom however in that it permits, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 8, of establishing the same mixture ratio and the same outlet after closure of the tap. In fact, in the case of FIG. 8, automatic closure takes place without aecting the angular position oi the handle 3S about the axis of the rod 28a. As long as the handle remains in the same yangular position, the same outlet will operate and the same mixture ratio will be produced when the tap is opened.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 9 and l0, the spherical element 16a is sirn-ilar to I6 and is provided with two parallel fiat portions 4S?, 4l which are constantly in contact with corresponding Hat portions 42, 43 of two cylindrie-al mitres 44, 45 disposed in the cylindrical interior 4o of the tap cap 48a. An elastic ring 47 holds the mitres `4K4, 45 in the chamber 46. These mitres may rotate inside the chamber 46 about the axis or" the latter, with the sphere 16a. The piston 21a operates exactly as the piston 2l of FIG. 1. However, the operating member 17a is bent, as is seen in FIG. 11.

The arrangement described permits selecting the outlet of the mixture at will (4 or S) tand of regulating independently one of the other the mixture ratio and the output as in the first example. Further, this latter ernbodiment permits maintaining the operating member 17a in the same plane after closure of the tap. In fact, when 17a is brought back to its closure position, it rotates in a plane parallel to the surfaces 4l), 4I. Consequently, as long as this plane remains iixed, that is to say as long as it is not rotated by acting on 17a, the selected outlet remains the same and the mixture ratio remains fixed.

According to variants, the ilaps could be, instead of hemispherical protuberances, spheres carried by the flap support and the center `of which would remain fixed relative to the support. The seats of the flaps, instead of being Vformed by the edge of plain holes made in a plate, could be constituted by small fixed tores of plast-ic material.

It is obvious that the solution described in the variation according to FIG. 5 (blind hole 36) is also applicable in the case `of constructions such as FIG. 1, FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, if it is question of producing a tap with a single outlet instead of two.

In the variant shown in FIG. 12, the flaps are constituted by independent balls 51 replacing the hemispherical protuberances 13 of the ilap support 12 of the first embodiment described i(FIG. 1). These balls are carried by a ilap support 52 on which acts the control piston 2l, as previously.

In the Variant shown in FIG. 13, the flaps are constituted by independent hal-f balls 53 which bear via their flat face against the plate 9 `of plastic material. These half balls are carried by a llap support 54 on which acts the control piston 21.

In the variant shown in FIG. 14, the plate 9` of pl-astic mate-rial is continuous, instead of being provided with holes such -as 10 and 111 (FIG. l). When one of the flaps leaves its seat (lower llap in FlG. 14), the pressure of the water moves the plate 9 so that the corresponding conduit 8 communicates with the chamber 6, as in the first embodiment described.

It is obvious that any one of the three variations described above may apply to each of the various embodiments previously described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are delined as follows:

1. A mixing tap having `at least two fluid inlets and at least one fluid outlet and movable llaps cooperating with stationary seats to control selectively the ilow of the fluid at least through the inlets, to independently regulate .the mixture ratio of the fluids and the output thereof from the tap, said tap comprising a ilap support supporting the ilaps `and disposed -freely in a mixing chamber provided in the tap, said flaps including portions cooperating with the seats to control fluid flow therethrough said portions each being of `spherical shape and having a center which is stationary relative to the support, the seats being of such shape that they each cooperate with the corresponding ilap along a contact circle having la radius smaller than that of the spherical portion of the flap, to permit the llap support to be free to rock in all directions about the center of the spherical portion of any one of the ilaps without the said one llap moving away lfrom the corresponding seat, and cont-rol means operatively coupled to the said support to retain the same in a closed position wherein all of the flaps are seated in the corresponding seats thereof, said control means being operative to rock the support to regulate the positions of the flaps relative to the seats thereof to provide the desired mixture ratio and output of the iluids, said flap support having the general shape of a circular plate having opposite faces, the flaps projecting on one `of the faces, the other face being in operative contact with the control means, said flaps being distributed in the form of a circle concentric with the plate, said control means comprising a spherical element mounted in the tap and adapted to rotate in all :directions `about its own center, the latter element being adapted for connection to a manually controlled member, the latter said spherical element being provided with a radial hole, a piston mounted slidably in the radial hole of the spherical element, and a compression spring also disposed in the radial hole and acting against the piston, the latter constituting a spring loaded abut- CTI ment pressing constantly on the other face of the llap support, which latter face is of concave spherical shape.

2. A tap according to claim 1 wherein said spherical element is disposed in a cylindrical chamber of the tap and includes at least one hat surface constantly in contact with the ll-at side face of a cylindrical mitre-shaped element also disposed in this chamber so as to move therein in a circle with the spherical element.

3. A mixing tap having'at least two iluid inlets and lat least one huid outlet and movable flaps cooperating with stationary seats to control selectively the ilow of the fluid at least through the inlets, to independently regulate the mixture ratio of the fluids and the output thereof from the tap, said tap comprising a flap support supporting the llaps and `disposed freely in a mixing chamber provided in the tap, said flaps including portions cooperating with the seats to control lluid llow therethrough, said portions each being of spherical shape and having a center which is stationary relative to the support, the seats being of such shape that they each cooperate with the corresponding flap along a contact circle having a radius smaller that that of the spherical portion of the ilap, to perrnit the ilap support to be free to rock in lall directions about the center of the spherical port-ion of any one of the flaps without the said one flap moving away yfrom the corresponding seat, and control means operatively coupled to the said support to retain the same in a closed position wherein .all of the il-aps .are seated in the corresponding seats thereof, said control means being operative to rock the support to regulate the positions of the flaps relative to the seats thereof Ito provide the desired mixture ratio and output of the iluidfs, said flap support having the general shape of a circular plate having opposite faces, the llaps projecting on one of the faces, the other lface being in operative contact with the control means, said control means comprising a cylindrical rotatable element coaxial rwith the plate carrying the flaps, two heads on said rotatable element, one of the heads being olf center, and the other being centered and adjustable under the action of a hand-operated member adapted for being carried by the said cylindrical rotating element.

4. A mixing tap having at least two iluid inlets and -at least one lluid outlet and movable ilaps cooperating with stationary seats to control selectively the flow of the fluid at least through the inlets, to independently regulate the mixture ratio of the fluids and the output thereof from the tap, said tap comprising Ia flap support supporting the flaps and disposed freely in a mixing chamber provided in the tap, said flaps including portions cooperating with the seats to control fluid ilow therethrough, said portions being of spherical shape, said spherical portions having a center which is stationary relative to `the support, the seats being of such shape that they each cooperate with the corresponding flap along a contact circle having a radius smaller than that of the spherical portions of the flap, to permit free rocking of the llap support in all directions, about the center of spherical portion of any one of the flaps, with the said one llap remaining in cont-act with the corresponding seat, and control means operatively coupled to the said support to normally maintain the same in a closed position wherein all the flaps are seated in the corresponding seats and for actuating the support to regulate the position of the flaps relative to the seats thereof according to the desired mixture ratio and output.

5. A tap according to claim 4, wherein the flap -support is in the shape of a circular plate having opposite faces, flaps projecting `on one of the faces of the circular plate, the other face bei-ng in operative contact with the control means, said flaps being distributed in the form of a circle concentric with the plate.

6l. A tap according to claim 4, wherein the ilaps are hemispherical protuberances.

7. A tap according to claim 4, wherein the flaps are balls carried by the flap support.

8. A mixing tap having at least two fluid inlets and at least one uid outlet land movable flaps cooperating with stationary seats to control selectively the flow of the uid through the inlets to independently regulate the mixture ratio of the fluids and the output thereof from the tap, `said tap comprising a ilap support supporting the `ilaps and disposed freely in `a mixing chamber provided in the tap, said flaps including portions cooperating with the seats to control Iud ow therethrough, said 11a-ps being of hemispherioal shape and having at -faces facing and cooperating with the seats, said flaps being freely supported in the ap support to permit -ree rocking of the flap support in all directions about the center of the spherical portion of `any of the dlaps with the latter remaining in contact with the corresponding seat, rand control means operatively coupled to the said support to nor- 15 2,794,609

mally maintain the same in a closed position wherein `all the flaps are seated in the corresponding seats and for yactuating the support to regulate the position of the llaps relative to the seats thereof yaccording `to the desired mixture ratio land output. l

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,517,956 Compton Dec. 2, 1924 1,573,210 Whidden Feb. 16, 1926 2,171,992 Rantine Sept. 5, v1939 2,274,917 Carlson Mar. 3, 1942 2,519,448 Fairchild Aug. 22, 1950 2,646,821 Johansson July 2S, 1953 Perry June 4, 1957 

4. A MIXING TAP HAVING AT LEAST TWO FLUID INLETS AND AT LEAST ONE FLUID OUTLET AND MOVABLE FLAPS COOPERATING WITH STATIONARY SEATS TO CONTROL SELECTIVELY THE FLOW OF THE FLUID AT LEAST THROUGH THE INLETS, TO INDEPENDENTLY REGULATE THE MIXTURE RATIO OF THE FLUIDS AND THE OUTPUT THEREOF FROM THE TAP, SAID TAP COMPRISING A FLAP SUPPORT SUPPORTING THE FLAPS AND DISPOSED FREELY IN A MIXING CHAMBER PROVIDED IN THE TAP, SAID FLAPS INCLUDING PORTIONS COOPERATING WITH THE SEATS TO CONTROL FLUID FLOW THERETHROUGH, SAID PORTIONS BEING OF SPHERICAL SHAPE, SAID SPHERICAL PORTIONS HAVING A CENTER WHICH IS STATIONARY RELATIVE TO THE SUPPORT, THE SEATS BEING OF SUCH SHAPE THAT THEY EACH COOPERATE WITH THE CORRESPONDING FLAP ALONG A CONTACT CIRCLE HAVING A RADIUS SMALLER THAN THAT OF THE SPHERICAL PORTIONS OF THE FLAP, TO PERMIT FREE ROCKING OF THE FLAP SUPPORT IN ALL DIRECTIONS, ABOUT THE CENTER OF SPHERICAL PORTION OF ANY ONE OF THE FLAPS, WITH THE SAID ONE FLAP REMAINING IN CONTACT WITH THE CORRESPONDING SEAT, AND CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO THE SAID SUPPORT TO NORMALLY MAINTAIN THE SAME IN A CLOSED POSITION WHEREIN ALL THE FLAPS ARE SEATED IN THE CORRESPONDING SEATS AND FOR ACTUATING THE SUPPORT TO REGULATE THE POSITION OF THE FLAPS RELATIVE TO THE SEATS THEREOF ACCORDING TO THE DESIRED MIXTURE RATIO AND OUTPUT. 